Americans saying with wallet, "We feel safer when armed"

Evansville Courier & Press ^ | September 29, 2001 | Scripps Howard News Service

[TERMINATTOR]

Gun sale resurgence: Americans saying with wallet, "We feel safer when armed"

Scripps Howard News Service

Keeping up with the changes in the political landscape as America girds for war could give a person whiplash. The old bedrock assumptions about defense and domestic spending, rights to "privacy" and the operation of law enforcement, even opinions on criminal profiling, are changing with lightning speed.

So, too, has there been another, perhaps little-noted shift: our view of guns. I should say the fashionable circle's view of guns. After all, there are some 200 million firearms in the United States, the vast majority of which are legally owned.

Nevertheless, every time there is any kind of an assault with firearms against innocents, we inevitably hear that more gun control is the "answer" because, according to these folks, guns are the root of all crime and mayhem. Usually there's an attempt, often successful, at more gun-control initiatives.

Then came the horror of Sept. 11. What few have ventured to point out is that in this entire calamitous crime, throughout this act of war and terrorism like our country has never seen before, not a single gun was used. So much for seeing guns as the problem, and gun control as the solution.

Americans want to feel safer, and they want to protect their children, which is why this time they are emptying gun stores, fast. Six eastern states, presumably those with populations who feel most vulnerable as a result of the recent attacks and including several, such as New York, that have lead the way in strictly controlling guns, report that gun sales are soaring. And don't you know that more than a few of the purchasers, who would have been aghast at such a thought just a few weeks ago, are sheepishly purchasing them?

No, guns may not exactly protect their carriers against terrorists - then again, they might - but people are voting with their wallets. And they are saying they feel safer with guns than with those who would "protect" them by limiting or ending their ability to get a firearm. We may be witnessing a change from "gun as menace" to "gun as marvel" mentality. Consider the call for sky marshals on airlines, and now the plea from the Airline Pilots Association that pilots be allowed to pack heat during flights. I'm not exactly sure how the pilots would both fend off hijackers with a firearm and fly the plane, but I think the larger point is one of deterrence.

People everywhere, including criminals and even suicidal hijackers, at some level make rational calculations. If the hijackers had thought for a moment that anyone on the plane was at all likely to be armed and ready to use a gun, they almost certainly would not have attempted their deed, simply out of knowledge their plot would fail.

Talk of arming pilots and the extent to which we're putting air marshals on planes may be one reason they will almost certainly not attempt this particular route of terrorism again. They will likely try other avenues to terrorism against which guns may not deter.

But the larger point is that in times of peace and prosperity, society has the luxury of turning down its collectively turned-up nose on those who would protect themselves and their families with firearms. But in time of war, reality and self-preservation surface.

When the smoke clears, we'll notice something else on the new political landscape: that it will be a long, long time before Gun Control Inc. dares to advocate curbs on the Second Amendment again.

[The KG9 Kid]

Post a pic when you get it. Erase the serial, of course.

[waterstraat]

How many americans died in hijackings before the 1970's, back when both the pilots and the passengers were normally allowed to bring loaded guns on board?

I am told that not one single american ever died when guns were legally carried on american planes.

[China Clipper]

There are several rifles that would fit this description. I would look into:

1) AK variant, like Ak-47 Bulgarian, etc. Built to take lots of punishment, and can utilize a 30 round magazine. Pretty cheap, really, tho I understand they are ALL going up up up. It looks pretty too :)

2) Some version of the AR-16, ie, semiauto of course. There are several that make fine examples in this line, Bushmaster, Colt, etc. Can also utilize a 30 round magazine. These are truly beautiful rifles but can be a bit more complicated than the old workhorse AK variants.

Use a .223 cartridge, the AK's usually use the 7.62 x 39mm round which is very inexpensive, about $90 for 1000 rounds, that's a lot of bang for the buck! Another rifle to consider would be the old M-1, or even the older SKS. Anyone of these rifles would serve you well in a situation you describe.

Always remember, safety first, and for goodness sakes PRACTICE!

[copycat]

Welcome home...

[Eugene Tackleberry]

"I just want to know where I should be investing to ride this wave of new-found self-defense? "

Well, the only publicly owned gun company that you can buy stock in is Sturm Ruger. However, I would advise against it as their customer service sucks (I'm trying to get a Mark II repaired and its almost as bad as dealing with some kind of government agency), and I personally will never buy a Ruger product again.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

"Got it down to two either a Glock 17 or Beretta 92, I am leaning towards the Beretta, comments and advice welcomed"

I am partial to the Glock (the Beretta 92 was the first gun I ever bought). Have you considered the Glock 19? If I were limited to one handgun for plinking, competition, home defense, and concealed carry, the G19 would be the one.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

"What is a good rifle to get for self defense during civic unrest? "

For a general purpose rifle, my vote would be for AR-15.

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

I posted a detailed range report here. There is a pic down the thread a ways (kinda blurry). I've replaced the extractor with a Wilson Bulletproof, which I do to all 1911s in my possesion. I also installed some USGI parts to include a checkered trigger and a tool-steel FP stop. I also recently installed a Wilson Shok-Buff and a Bulletproof firing pin.

Topped it all off with a pair of double diamond grips that came off a Kimber. I'll do more as cash flow permits.

Cheers.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

"Wish it was that easy, but I live here in occupied New Jersey and that does not seem possible. Thanks "

Where in NJ? If you're near the Tappan Zee, you could drive over to Norwalk to the Peoples Republic of CT and rent a gun with no hassles (like having to be with another person so you don't kill yourself or having to bring your own gun).

[Yellow Rose of Texas]

Welcome to FR. Great to have you here.

[nunya bidness]

Colt snob. ;-) When's the next gun show?

[Eugene Tackleberry]

"ANYTHING that pushes on the trigger will fire it, branch, key, pen, holster, etc.. "

If you have a quality holster that covers the trigger guard, and you are properly trained in the basics (like keeping finger off the trigger until ready to shoot), the Glock is fine.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

"The one that caught my eye was the 92D"

The D is double action only. You would be hampering yourself with very heavy trigger pulls after the first shot -- not good for accuracy or rapid fire. There's definitely something to be said for having the same trigger pull for each shot, but you'd be better off achieving that with a Glock or a 1911 or Hi-Power style single action only.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

What's the benefit of the Bulletproof extractor over, say, a factory Kimber extractor?

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

There is ONE good thing about the 92D. You can order the "D" mainspring and drop it in your standard model (only takes a second). Talk about smooooooooooooooooth. Homemade custom trigger job. Even cures the SA pull some. The standard spring for the 92/96FS models is something like 23lbs. The D is like 19 or 20. Makes a heck of a difference.

[Eugene Tackleberry]

I wish I knew that when I owned my 92FS!!!

[Jimmy Valentine]

200 million guns? Hee Hee Hee! Oh, you kid!

If you only knew!

regards,

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

What's the benefit of the Bulletproof extractor over, say, a factory Kimber extractor?

I could think of many reasons to go with Wilson's Bulletproof extractor over stock ones, but in the interest of time I'll only briefly outline two.

• Kimber extractors are metal injection molded. Wilsons are machined from S7 tool-steel.
• Wilson will replace any Bulletproof part SHOULD IT EVER FAIL OR EVEN WEAR OUT.

Those are some mighty good reasons to spend 26 bucks. Only takes a minute to fit it to the gun. Full instructions come with it. I highly recommend the Bulletproof series. Who ever heard of a part that's warranted against WEARING OUT?

Callahan

[TERMINATTOR]

Yes, it seems they don't quite get it. In fact the second amendment doesn't mention "firearms". A strict reading of the second amendment tells me that anyone, may own any arms, and take them anywhere. A lot of confusion results from people trying to obey unconstitutional legislation, and thinking they are obeying the "law".

"A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." - Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

[Eugene Tackleberry]

I've never changed out an extractor before -- do the instructions explain "tuning" as well as "fitting?" I can detail strip a 1911 no problem and swap out MS housings and springs and such, but never messed with an extractor. Something just bugs me about bending a critical piece of a gun.